The Public Prosecution Service in Zeeland-West-Brabant suspects a 39-year-old man from Vlissingen of sexually abusing a minor boy and secretly filming boys in changing rooms. Today was the first interim hearing in the court of Middelburg.
The investigation against the suspect began after the parents of the victim filed a report of sexual abuse. The victim was in the primary school where the suspect worked as a teacher, and after the victim transitioned to secondary school, the abuse took place in the suspects home.
Following this report, on April 16, the suspects data carriers were seized by the police for investigation. The police found illegal material on the data carriers. The suspect has secretly filmed minor boys in the changing rooms of Zeeland football clubs for years in his capacity as a football coach and scout. He has been in pre-trial detention since then.
Images have not been distributed
This concerns the period from January 1, 2010, to April 16, 2025. The images show boys aged between 10 and 14 who are changing and/or showering.
The recordings were made at the Zeeland football clubs JVOZ, VV Kloetinge, and SV Walcheren. Additionally, the suspect produced footage during KNVB days for players under 12 years old between 2011 and 2014. This concerns training sessions attended by players from Zeeland football clubs.
Investigations have shown that there are no other victims of sexual abuse. Furthermore, the investigation into the footage has established that the produced images have not been shared with others or distributed (online). Therefore, filing a report is not necessary for the handling of this case. It will also not affect any potential sentence. The material will be destroyed after the handling of this case, as is customary in criminal cases.
Hearing
On Wednesday, October 1, the first pro forma hearing took place in the court of Middelburg. This is not yet a substantive hearing. The court decided to keep the suspect in custody longer. The next pro forma hearing will take place on December 3, 2025.
Support
Anyone involved with the mentioned clubs and in need of support regarding this case can contact Victim Support Netherlands at 0900-0101. Please mention that you are calling regarding investigation Blauwband.
